20 July,2026 10:23 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Sonam Wangchuk File.pic
Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, on Monday moved the Delhi High Court challenging a single judge's order that declined to interfere with the activist's ongoing treatment at Safdarjung Hospital after he was shifted there during his hunger strike.
In her appeal, Angmo argued that the earlier order effectively confines Wangchuk to the government hospital without any formal arrest and fails to address his right to make decisions regarding his medical treatment.
The appeal challenges the order passed by Justice Mini Pushkarna on Sunday, which refused to direct the authorities to shift Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to a private medical facility.
Angmo contended that the order "illegally confines" Wangchuk to the hospital despite him not being under arrest and effectively deprives both the activist and his wife of the authority to decide his course of treatment.
According to the appeal, the order also fails to consider the principle of informed consent, including an individual's right to accept or refuse medical treatment.
During a special hearing on Sunday, Justice Pushkarna held that the government's decision to shift Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital could not be termed arbitrary given his medical condition.
The court declined to pass any interim order directing his immediate transfer to a private hospital.
The petition had been filed by Angmo, who sought permission to move Wangchuk to a private healthcare facility for further treatment.
In its order, the single judge noted that doctors at Safdarjung Hospital were closely monitoring Wangchuk's condition and observed that there was nothing to suggest that force was being used against him in violation of his bodily integrity.
The court also referred to an earlier Delhi High Court order dated July 16 directing authorities to monitor Wangchuk's health and provide medical intervention whenever necessary.
Justice Pushkarna observed that since Wangchuk had not voluntarily admitted himself to any hospital, the government was within its rights to shift him to Safdarjung Hospital considering his deteriorating health.
"It is to be noted that the ultimate decision with regard to the medical condition of Mr Wangchuk would be monitored by the medical team attending him, which shall take decision as per the medical protocol," the single judge observed.
Wangchuk was taken to Safdarjung Hospital by the Delhi Police on Saturday, the 21st day of his hunger strike, after concerns were raised over his health.
He has been on an indefinite fast since June 28, demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and raising concerns over the deaths of students linked to the earlier cancellation of the NEET examination.
The appeal filed by Angmo is expected to be heard by a division bench of the Delhi High Court.
(With inputs from PTI)
